Fin for heat exchanger and heat exchanger using the fin

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses a fin for a heat exchanger, the fin is formed with louvers, and air, which is used as heat exchange medium, successively flows through said louvers when the heat exchanger operates. The louver gap of the louvers changes in the air flow direction, such that a louver gap at a certain portion of the louvers matches with an amount of frost formed at that portion. With the technical solution of the invention, the louver gap at a certain portion of the louvers is made to match with the amount of frost formed at that portion, such that a sufficient space is still left between adjacent louvers for the air to flow through. As a result, the wind resistance will not increase substantially to decrease the amount of air flowing through, and thus the heat exchange performance of the fin can be utilized completely.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is entitled to the benefit of and incorporates by reference essential subject matter disclosed in Chinese Patent Application No. 200910119662.X filed on Mar. 25, 2009.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a heat exchanger, and more particularly to a fin used with a heat exchanger.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A heat exchanger is a commonly used component in refrigeration and air conditioning systems, and can be classified as a condenser, an evaporator and so on based on its functions. To improve the heat exchanging performance of a heat exchanger, among others, the heat exchanger is generally provided with a fin.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show a conventional fin used with a heat exchanger, FIG. 1A is a plan view of the fin, and FIG. 1B is a sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 1A.

A fin is made of a material with a high thermal conductivity such as aluminium alloy, and is formed by processing an aluminium alloy sheet. In the operation state of the heat exchanger, the fin contacts a surface of the heat exchanger, such as a surface of a flat tube, such that thermal conduction is achieved between the fin and the flat tube. And the fin conducts heat exchange with external medium flowing over the fin, and thus achieving the heat exchange between the heat exchanger and the external medium.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the fin 1 is formed with louvers 20. The louvers can be divided into two sets—a leading set and a trailing set in the flowing direction of the medium such as air, which is in the left-right direction in FIG. 1B. The louver pattern of the conventional fin is completely symmetrical, specifically, the louver gap and tilt angle of the leading set of louvers are identical with the louver gap and tilt angle of the trailing set of louvers. During the operation of the heat exchanger, the flowing air flows through the leading set of louvers first, and then the trailing set of louvers.

When a microchannel heat exchanger is used in an outdoor unit of a heat pump, if the outdoor atmospheric temperature is low, frost will form on the external surface of the heat exchanger and on the fin. The frost forms faster and more on the leading set, while the frost forms slower and less on the trailing set. If the louver gap and tilt angle of the leading set are identical with the louver gap and tilt angle of the trailing set, since the frost forms faster and more on the leading set, the area of the gap between adjacent louvers of the leading set of the fin, through which the air flows, will decrease. As a result, the wind resistance increases at the leading set and the amount of air flowing through decreases, resulting in the degradation of the hear exchange performance of the heat exchanger. Thus, the heat exchange performance of the microchannel heat exchanger is not completely utilized.

In consideration of the problems associated with the conventional fin, there is a need for further improving the heat exchange performance of the heat exchanger.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to solve the problems associated with the conventional fin, and to provide a fin for a heat exchanger which can improve the heat exchange performance of the heat exchanger, especially when frost forms on the fin.

Another object of the invention is to provide a heat exchanger provided with a fin in accordance with the invention.

To achieve the above objects, according to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a fin for a heat exchanger, the fin is formed with louvers, and air, which is used as the heat exchange medium, successively flows through the louvers when the heat exchanger operates. The louver gap of the louvers changes in the air flow direction, such that a louver gap at a certain portion of the louvers matches with the amount of frost formed at said portion.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, a louver gap located upstream in the air flow direction is larger than or equal to an adjacent downstream louver gap, and at least one or more of the louver gaps is/are larger than an adjacent downstream louver gap.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the louver gap of the louvers decreases continuously in the air flow direction.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the louvers may have a constant tilt angle, and the pitch of the louvers may decrease continuously in the air flow direction. Alternatively, the louvers may have a constant pitch, and the tilt angle of the louvers may decrease continuously in the air flow direction.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the louvers are divided into a number of sets in the air flow direction, each set of louvers having a constant louver gap, with louver gap of a set which is located upstream in the air flow direction being larger than the louver gap of an adjacent downstream set. Preferably, the sets of louvers may have a uniform tilt angle, with the pitch of a set which is located upstream in the air flow direction being larger than the pitch of an adjacent downstream set. Alternatively, the sets of louvers may have a uniform pitch, with the tilt angle of a set which is located upstream in the air flow direction being larger than the tilt angle of an adjacent downstream set.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the louvers are divided into a leading set which is located upstream and a trailing set which is located downstream in the air flow direction.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a heat exchanger which comprises a fin as defined in the first aspect of the invention. Preferably, the heat exchanger is a microchannel heat exchanger.

With the technical solution of the invention, the louver gap at a certain portion of the louvers is made to match with the amount of frost formed at that portion, such that a sufficient space is still left between adjacent louvers for the air to flow through. As a result, the wind resistance will not increase substantially to decrease the amount of air flowing through, and thus the heat exchange performance of the fin can be utilized completely.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a plan view showing the structure of a conventional fin used with a heat exchanger;

FIG. 1B is a sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 1A, showing the pattern of conventional louvers;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1B, showing the pattern of louvers in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing the pattern of louvers in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing the pattern of louvers in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3, showing the pattern of louvers in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The fin used for a heat exchanger according to the invention will be described in detail below. It should be noted that the embodiments of the invention are only illustrative, they are only used to describe the principle of the invention but not to limit the invention. Furthermore, it is obvious to one skilled in the art that the fin according to the invention can be used with various heat exchangers which use a fin, including a microchannel heat exchanger.

In the following description, components similar to those in the prior art will be designated with the same reference numerals and their detailed description will be omitted.

The area between two adjacent louvers, through which air flows, depends on a distance between the two adjacent louvers measured in a line perpendicular to the two louvers, i.e. the louver gap. The present invention takes into consideration the difference of the frost-forming condition between the leading set and the trailing set of the louvers, and the difference of the frost-forming condition at different portions of the leading set and the trailing set in the air flow direction, and provides a louver pattern that can prevent the heat exchanging performance of a heat exchanger from degrading when frost forms on the fin.

First Embodiment

Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which shows the pattern of louvers in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention. In consideration of the fact that the amount of frost formed on the various portions of the louvers decreases gradually in the air flow direction when the outdoor atmospheric temperature is low, the fin in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention adopts a solution as follows.

The pitch of the louvers decreases gradually in the air flow direction, and the tilt angle of the louvers remains constant, such that the louver gap d of the louvers decreases gradually in the air flow direction, i.e. d1>d2>d3>d4>d5>d6>d7>d8, as schematically shown in FIG. 2. With such a pattern, the louver gap at different portions of the louvers is made to match with the amount of the frost formed there: the frost forms more at a portion located upstream relative to the air flow direction, and accordingly the louver gap between adjacent louvers at that portion is relatively large; and the frost forms less at a portion located downstream relative to the air flow direction, and accordingly the louver gap between adjacent louvers at that portion is relatively small.

With a louver pattern mentioned above, the louver gap between adjacent louvers is made large at the portion of the louvers where the frost forms more, which therefore can accommodate more frost. Accordingly, even at the portion where the frost forms more, enough space is still left between adjacent louvers for the air to flow through. Since the amount of frost formed on the louvers decreases gradually in the air flow direction, the louver gap of the louvers decreases gradually. As a result, a suitable density of the louvers is maintained without influencing the amount of the air flowing through the louvers. Therefore, with the fin in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention, consideration is given to both the density of the louvers and the area, through which air flows, at various portions of the louvers when the frost forms. As a result, the heat exchange performance of the fin is completely utilized in the situation where the frost forms on the fin.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 3 shows the fin in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention. In consideration of the fact that the amount of frost formed on the various portions of the louvers decreases gradually in the air flow direction, the fin in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention adopts a solution as follows.

The pitch between adjacent louvers in the leading set of the louvers is set to a first pitch, the pitch between the adjacent louvers in the trailing set of louvers is set to a second pitch which is smaller than the first pitch, and the tilt angle of all the louvers remains constant, such that the leading set of louvers has a first uniform louver gap D1, and the trailing set of louvers has a second uniform louver gap D2, and the first louver gap D1 is larger than the second louver gap D2, as shown in FIG. 3. With such a pattern, the louver gap of the leading set of louvers and the louver gap of the trailing set of louvers are made to match respectively with the amount of frost formed at the leading set of louvers and the trailing set of louvers: the frost forms more at the leading set of louvers, and accordingly the louver gap of the leading set of louvers is relatively large; and the frost forms less at the trailing set of louvers, and accordingly the louver gap of the trailing set of louvers is relatively small.

With a louver pattern mentioned above, since the louver gap is relatively large at the leading set of louvers where the frost forms more, the leading set of louvers can accommodate more frost. Accordingly, even at the leading set of louvers where the frost forms more, enough space is still left between adjacent louvers for the air to flow through.

With the fin in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention, although a relatively large louver gap is provided at the leading set, which results in a lower heat exchange performance in the leading set than in the trailing set, the amount of air flowing through will not be substantially decreased when frost forms because the space for accommodating the frost is increased at the leading set. As for the trailing set, since less frost is formed there, a suitable density of louvers is maintained by adopting a small gap. Therefore, with the fin in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention, the heat transfer performance of both the leading set and the trailing set are completely utilized. Furthermore, since the leading set of louvers has a uniform louver gap and so does the trailing set of louvers, the fin can be relatively easily manufactured as compared with the fin of the first embodiment.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 4 shows the fin in accordance with the third embodiment of the invention. In consideration of the fact that the amount of frost formed on the various portions of the louvers decreases gradually in the air flow direction, the fin in accordance with the third embodiment of the invention adopts a solution as follows.

The tilt angle α of the louvers is made to decrease gradually in the air flow direction, i.e. α1>α2>α3>α4>α5>α6>α7>α8, and the louver pitch between the adjacent louvers remains constant so that the louver gap between the adjacent louvers decreases gradually, as shown in FIG. 4. With such a pattern, the louver gap between adjacent louvers at different portions of the louvers is made to match with the amount of frost formed at those different portions: the frost forms more at a portion located forwardly relative to the air flow direction, and accordingly the tilt angle of the louvers at that portion is relatively large, and thus resulting in a relatively large louver gap; and the frost forms less at a portion located rearward relative to the air flow direction, and accordingly the tilt angle of the louvers at that portion is relatively small, and thus resulting in a relatively small louver gap.

With a louver pattern mentioned above, similar to the first embodiment, the louver gap between adjacent louvers is made relatively large at the portion of the louvers where the frost forms more, which therefore can accommodate more frost. Accordingly, even at the portion where the frost forms more, enough space is still left between the adjacent louvers for the air to flow through. Furthermore, at the leading set of the louvers, the density of the louvers does not decrease even if a large louver gap is provided there. As a result, with the fin in accordance with the third embodiment of the invention, consideration is given to both the density of the louvers and the area, through which the air flows, at various portions of the louvers when the frost forms, and thus the heat transfer performance of the fin is completely utilized.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 4 shows the fin in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the invention. In consideration of the fact that the amount of frost formed on the various portions of the louvers decreases gradually along the air flow direction, the fin in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the invention adopts a solution as follows.

The tilt angle of the louvers in the leading set of louvers is set to a first tilt angle α1, the angle of the louvers in the trailing set of louvers is set to a second tilt angle α2 which is smaller the first tilt angle α1, and a uniform pitch is provided between adjacent louvers, such that the leading set of louvers have a first uniform louver gap and the trailing set of louvers have a second uniform louver gap, and the first louver gap is larger than the second louver gap, as shown in FIG. 5. With such a pattern, the louver gap of the leading set of louvers and the louver gap of the trailing set of louvers are made to match respectively with the amount of frost formed at the leading set and the trailing set: the frost forms more at the leading set of louvers, and accordingly, the louver gap of the leading set of louvers is relatively large; and the frost forms less at the trailing set of louvers, and accordingly, the louver gap of the trailing set of louvers is relatively small.

With a louver pattern mentioned above, since the louver gap of the louvers is relatively large at the leading set of louvers where the frost forms more, the leading set of louvers can accommodate more frost. Accordingly, even at the leading set of louvers where the frost forms more, enough space is still left between adjacent louvers for the air to flow through.

With a fin in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the invention, at the leading set, since the louvers have a relatively large tilt angle, and the density of the louvers does not decrease even if a large louver gap is provided, a good heat exchange performance is achieved. Furthermore, since a large louver gap is provided at the leading set, the amount of air flowing through will not be substantially decreased when frost forms, and thus the heat exchange performance of the fin is completely utilized. Furthermore, with the fin in accordance with the fourth embodiment, since the leading set of louvers has a uniform tilt angle and so does the trailing set of louvers, the fin can be relatively easily manufactured as compared with the fin of the third embodiment.

It can be seen from above that, according to the invention, the louver gap between adjacent louvers at a certain portion of the louvers is made to match with the amount of frost formed there, such that a sufficient space is still left between any two adjacent louvers for the air to flow through when frost forms on the louvers. As a result, the wind resistance will not increase substantially to decrease the amount of air flowing through, and thus the heat exchange performance of the fin is utilized completely.

The embodiments of the invention have been described above in connection with the drawings. It should be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the embodiments are only exemplary but not limitative. Various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

In the above second and fourth embodiments, the louvers are divided into a leading set and a trailing set in the air flow direction, and each set has a uniform louver gap. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various changes can be made based on the principle of the invention, e.g.:

1. One or both of the leading set and trailing set can be further divided into several sub-sets in the air flow direction, and each sub-set has a uniform louver gap, the adjacent sub-sets have a different louver gap; 2. The louver gap of one of the leading set and the trailing set decreases gradually in the air flow direction. 3. One or both of the leading set and trailing set can be further divided into e.g. a first sub-set and a second sub-set in the air flow direction, one of the first and second sub-sets has a uniform louver gap, and the other of the first and second sub-sets has a louver gap which decreases gradually in the air flow direction.

In the above first and second embodiments, the louver gap between adjacent louvers is changed by changing only the pitch of the louvers while the tilt angle of the louvers is kept constant; and in the above third and fourth embodiments, the louver gap between adjacent louvers is changed by changing only the tilt angle of the louvers while the pitch of the louvers is kept constant. However, the invention is not limited to this, the louver gap between adjacent louvers can be changed by changing both the pitch of the louvers and the tilt angle of the louvers at the same time; or in the case that the fin is divided into a leading set and a trailing set in the air flow direction, in one of the leading set and the trailing set, the louver gap between adjacent louvers is changed by changing one of the pitch of the louvers and the tilt angle of the louvers; while in the other of the leading set and the trailing set, the louver gap between adjacent louvers is changed by changing the other of the pitch of the louvers and the tilt angle of the louvers. Therefore, the louver gap can be changed in any way by taking the pitch of the louvers and the tilt angle of the louvers as parameters, if only the gap between adjacent louvers at a creation portion of the louvers can be made to match with the amount of frost formed there.

And furthermore, for the sake of facilitating description, the louvers are divided into a leading set and a trailing set in the air flow direction in the above embodiments, but it is obvious to one skilled in the art that the louvers can be divided into a number of sets in the air flow direction in some other ways. 

1. A fin for a heat exchanger, said fin being formed with louvers, and air, which is used as a heat exchange medium, successively flowing through said louvers when the heat exchanger operates, wherein the louver gap of the louvers changes in the air flow direction, such that a louver gap at a certain portion of the louvers matches with an amount of frost formed at said portion.
 2. The fin as claimed in claim 1, wherein a louver gap located upstream in the air flow direction is larger than or equal to an adjacent downstream louver gap, and at least one or more of the louver gaps is/are larger than the adjacent downstream louver gap.
 3. The fin as claimed in claim 2, wherein the louver gap of said louvers decreases continuously in the air flow direction.
 4. The fin as claimed in claim 3, wherein said louvers have a constant tilt angle, and the pitch of the louvers decreases continuously in the air flow direction.
 5. The fin as claimed in claim 3, wherein said louvers have a constant pitch, and the tilt angle of the louvers decreases continuously in the air flow direction.
 6. The fin as claimed in claim 2, wherein said louvers are divided into a number of sets in the air flow direction, each set of louvers has a constant louver gap, the louver gap of a set which is located upstream in the air flow direction is larger than the louver gap of an adjacent downstream set.
 7. The fin as claimed in claim 6, wherein said sets have a uniform tilt angle, and the pitch of a set which is located upstream in the air flow direction is larger than the pitch of an adjacent downstream set.
 8. The fin as claimed in claim 6, wherein said sets have a uniform pitch, and the tilt angle of a set which is located upstream in the air flow direction is larger than the tilt angle of an adjacent downstream set.
 9. The fin as claimed in claim 6, wherein said louvers are divided into a leading set which is located upstream and a trailing set which is located downstream in the air flow direction.
 10. A heat exchanger comprising: a fin being formed with louvers whereby a heat exchange medium successfully flows through said louvers during operation of the heat exchanger; wherein the louver gap of the louvers changes in the flow direction of the heat exchange medium, such that a louver gap at a certain portion of the louvers matches with an amount of frost formed at said portion.
 11. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 10, wherein said heat exchanger is a microchannel heat exchanger.
 12. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 10, wherein the louver gap located upstream in the air flow direction is larger than or equal to an adjacent downstream louver gap, and at least one or more of the louver gaps is/are larger than the adjacent downstream louver gap.
 13. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 12, wherein the louver gap of said louvers decreases continuously in the air flow direction.
 14. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 13, wherein said louvers have a constant tilt angle, and the pitch of the louvers decreases continuously in the air flow direction.
 15. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 13, wherein said louvers have a constant pitch, and the tilt angle of the louvers decreases continuously in the air flow direction.
 16. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 12, wherein said louvers are divided into a number of sets in the air flow direction, each set of louvers has a constant louver gap, the louver gap of a set which is located upstream in the air flow direction is larger than the louver gap of an adjacent downstream set.
 17. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 16, wherein said sets have a uniform tilt angle, and the pitch of a set which is located upstream in the air flow direction is larger than the pitch of an adjacent downstream set.
 18. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 16, wherein said sets have a uniform pitch, and the tilt angle of a set which is located upstream in the air flow direction is larger than the tilt angle of an adjacent downstream set.
 19. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 16, wherein said louvers are divided into a leading set which is located upstream and a trailing set which is located downstream in the air flow direction. 